Let It Snow” Sugar Cookies

“Let It Snow” Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly festive, with a delicate sweetness that melts in your mouth. These cookies are ideal for holiday baking, as you can decorate them with fun snowflake designs and sparkling sugar for a snowy effect. They also make great gifts or additions to your holiday dessert table! Here’s a simple recipe to create these charming, winter-themed cookies.

Ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookies:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling the dough)

For the Royal Icing (Optional for Decorating):

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder (or 1 large egg white, if not using meringue powder)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1-2 tablespoons water (more if needed for consistency)
Blue and white food coloring (for snowflakes, if desired)
Decorating sprinkles (optional, for a “snowy” look)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
Roll the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help firm it up.

2. Shape and Bake the Cookies:

After the dough has chilled, sprinkle a clean surface with some flour and roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters (or any desired shape) to cut out your cookies. If the dough is too sticky, dust your rolling pin and cookie cutters with a bit of flour.
Roll each cookie in the 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to give it a light, sugary coating.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about 1-2 inches apart.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. The center should still be soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Make the Royal Icing (Optional):

In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and cream of tartar.
Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach a thick but spreadable consistency.
Divide the icing into separate bowls for different colors. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl—use blue for a frosty look and white for snowflakes.
For intricate designs, use a piping bag with a fine tip, or simply spread the icing on with a spoon.

4. Decorate the Cookies:

Once the cookies are fully cooled, pipe or spread the royal icing onto each cookie to create your “Let It Snow” design. You can make delicate snowflakes, or even just lightly ice the top and sprinkle some edible glitter or sugar crystals for a “snowy” effect.
Add extra decorations like small snowflake sprinkles or tiny sugar pearls to make them even more festive.

5. Let the Icing Dry:

Allow the decorated cookies to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to let the royal icing dry completely before storing.

Tips:

Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft while you’re rolling it out, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up again.
Variations: You can add flavorings such as cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a winter spice twist, or use peppermint extract instead of almond for a minty touch.
No Meringue Powder? If you don’t have meringue powder, you can use egg whites, but be sure to pasteurize them first to avoid any risk of foodborne illness.
Decorating Ideas: Use edible glitter, mini snowflake sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar to make these cookies sparkle like freshly fallen snow.

These “Let It Snow” Sugar Cookies are the perfect holiday treat, combining a buttery, soft texture with a festive, frosty design. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday party, gifting them to friends and family, or just indulging in a sweet winter snack, these cookies are sure to bring a little holiday magic to any occasion!